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Jill Atwood ReportingMollie McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: "If you believed that someone else's child was going to die without your intervention, how many of you would feel okay about walking away and doing nothing?"
For the first time a full accounting in the Parker Jensen case is made public, and the details directly contradict much of what the Jensen family has said all along. Also clearly suggested now, is an aggressive form of cancer, still lurking, waiting to attack.
For months we've heard mostly the Jensen family's version of the events. But today we heard a full accounting from the other side -- the doctors and social workers involved in the case.
The disclosure was made by the office of the Guardian Ad Litem, the lawyer appointed by the state to look after Parker Jensen's interest. And her report shows that lost in the debate over parents’ rights and alternative medicine is the fate of a little boy who may be very sick.
The guardian ad Litem said today that she cannot stand by and do nothing knowing that chemotherapy would almost surely save Parker' life. She tells us absolutely the state has the right to step in this case, because in her eyes the Jensen's unwillingness to treat their son will most likely sentence him to death.
The CT scan and the bone scan did come back normal, but not the MRI. It showed an abnormality in the neck and face area. Tests also found a small bubble on the floor of Parker's mouth in the same area of the original tumor. The doctor recommends an oral surgeon remove it and test it.
Also, we now know that the original tissue sample was tested again by Boise doctor Martin Johnston.
Mollie McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: “There is no longer any question that the tumor removed from his mouth was Ewing sarcoma."
The doctor says Parker needs a bone marrow test because in five percent of Ewing sarcoma cases that's where you'll find it if it has spread. The Jensen's have refused that test.
Dr. Johnston's recommendation for treatment is 14 cycles of multi-agent chemotherapy over a period of 11 months.
We now know that Primary Children's Hospital actually offered to pay for further testing at Harvard University after the Jensen's insurance would not cover the costs. Daren Jensen declined. If you'll remember, the Jensen's claimed Primary Children's Hospital tried to block them from getting a second opinion.
And finally, instead of presenting evidence of the effectiveness of their desired alternative treatment, the Jensen's agreed to go to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. There they agreed to accept the doctor's diagnosis and eventual recommendation for treatment. The Jensen's backed out of that agreement, which brings us to today.
Daren Jensen maintains Parker is not sick, but highly esteemed professionals in the medical community contend he's not sick yet; the cancer cells are just waiting, and case history shows they will attack.
Mollie McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: "Prior to the time that chemotherapy was used to treat Ewing sarcoma and the tumor was just surgically removed 90 percent of those children died within five years." Also from the Division of Child and Family services tonight is this statement.
“DCFS has no intention of removing Parker from his home. The director is doing everything he can to see that the Jensen’s can present the type of treatment they would like Parker to have in front of a juvenile judge.”
And we understand all parties will be meeting with the doctor in Boise on Monday. It’s hard to say where things go from here.
